Apparatus for digital/analog audio storage and playback

ABSTRACT

An audio data storage and playback apparatus is provided, including at least a USB hub or USB SIE, at least a storage media interface, and an audio codec. An upstream port of the USB hub or the USB SIE is connected to an electronic device with a USB interface. The storage media interface is connected to a downstream port of the USB hub or an endpoint of a USB SIE. The storage media interface can be connected to a portable storage media, such as flash memory, CD-R/W, DVD-R/W, and hard disk drive, to enable bi-directional data transmission and storage between the electronic device with a USB interface and the portable storage media connected to the storage media interface. The audio codec player forms a bi-directional data transmission connection with the storage media interface. The audio codec player is connected to at least an audio player and an audio input device. The audio data from the electronic device with a USB interface, the portable storage media connected to the storage media interface or the audio input device can be sent to the audio codec for encoding/decoding, and then stored or played back by the audio player or the electronic device with a USB interface to achieve the object of the present invention of multi-directional transmission, encoding/decoding, storage and playing back of audio data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for audio media storage and playback and, more particularly, to an apparatus for storing and playing digital/analog audio, and for encoding and decoding audio data for playback and multi-directional transmission and storage.

2. The Related Arts

Conventional portable multimedia storage and devices, such as flash memory, CD-R/W, DVD-R/W, hard disk drive, portable memory stick, digital camera, and so on, need to connect to a personal computer (PC) or a notebook computer for data conversion or multimedia playing, such as MP3, WMA, MIDI, WAV, and so on. The conventional audio data players are also limited to the playback of a medium. For functions, such as data conversion, decoding or storing, the players need to connect to a PC or a notebook computer to perform such tasks. This further limits the popularity of portable multimedia devices.

Taiwan Patent Application Nos. 094211770 and 094213090 disclosed structures and embodiments for a storage medium for digital/analog TV and audio data, respectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for storing and playing back audio data, including at least a USB hub or a USB serial interface engine (SIE), and at least a storage media interface. An upstream port of the USB hub or the USB SIE is connected to an electronic device with a USB interface. The storage media interface is connected to a downstream port of the USB hub or an endpoint of a USB SIE. The storage media interface can be connected to a portable storage media, such as flash memory, CD-R/W, DVD-R/W, and hard disk drive, to enable bi-directional data transmission and storage between the electronic device with a USB interface and the portable storage media connected to the storage media interface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for storing and playing back audio data, including an audio codec player connected to the storage media interface to enable the bi-directional data format conversion and storage between the electronic device with a USB interface and the portable storage media connected to the storage media interface without the connection to a PC or a notebook computer. This improves the convenience of audio data storage and application.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for storing and playing back audio data, including an audio codec player connected to at least an audio player and an audio input device. The audio player can play back the audio data of various formats on the electronic device with a USB interface or the portable storage media connected to the storage media interface. Alternatively, the audio input device can input an external audio signal to the audio codec for encoding and decoding, and then stores into the electronic device with a USB interface or the portable storage media connected to the storage media interface.

To achieve the aforementioned objects, the present invention provides an apparatus for storing and playing back audio data, including at least a USB hub or USB SIE, at least a storage media interface, and an audio codec. An upstream port of the USB hub or the USB SIE is connected to an electronic device with a USB interface. The storage media interface is connected to a downstream port of the USB hub or an endpoint of a USB SIE. The storage media interface can be connected to a portable storage media, such as flash memory, CD-R/W, DVD-R/W, and hard disk drive, to enable bi-directional data transmission and storage between the electronic device with a USB interface and the portable storage media connected to the storage media interface. The audio codec player forms a bi-directional data transmission connection with the storage media interface. The audio codec player is connected to at least an audio player and an audio input device. The audio data from the electronic device with a USB interface, the portable storage media connected to the storage media interface or the audio input device can be sent to the audio codec for encoding/decoding, and then stored or played back by the audio player or the electronic device with a USB interface to achieve the object of the present invention of multi-directional transmission, encoding/decoding, storage and playing back of audio data.

The advantage of the present invention is to enable the multi-directional encoding/decoding, playing back, and storing of the audio data through a simple and inexpensive structure that is easy to operate.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, from a reading of the following brief description of the drawings, the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be understood in more detail by reading the subsequent detailed description in conjunction with the examples and references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, which shows an audio storage and playback apparatus 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the audio storage and playback apparatus 100 comprises at least a USB hub 10, a plurality of storage media interfaces 20, 30, 40, and an audio codec 50. The USB hub 10 comprises an upstream port 11 and a plurality of downstream ports 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. The upstream port 11 is connected to a USB interface 210 of an electronic device 200 for bi-directional data communication between the downstream ports 12, 13, 14, 115, 16 and the electronic device 200. The electronic device 200 is not limited to any specific type. The present invention uses an electronic game box with a USB interface as an embodiment for description, but any other equivalent electronic devices are also within the scope of the present invention.

The aforementioned storage media interfaces 20, 30, 40 are not limited to any specific type. In the present invention, portable storage media interfaces, such as flash memory sticks, card reader, and ATA/ATAPI CD-RW and hard disk drive, are used as embodiments for description. Other equivalent portable storage media interfaces are also within the scope of the present invention. The storage media interface 20 comprises a USB controller 21, a flash memory access controller 22, at least a flash memory 23 and a parallel/serial transmission interface 24. The USB controller 21 is connected to the downstream port 12 of USB hub 10 to form a bi-directional USB-type data connection between the storage media interface 20 and the USB hub 10. The flash memory access controller 22 is to control data access, and the flash memory 23 is connected to and controlled by the flash memory access controller 22. The flash memory 23 is not limited to any specific type. The present invention uses NAND FLASH or NOR FLASH as embodiment for explanation. The parallel/serial transmission interface 24 is connected to the flash memory access controller 22 to provide bi-directional transmission of audio data.

The aforementioned flash memory access controller 22 is connected to the USB controller 21 to form, through the USB hub 10, a bi-directional data transmission and storage connection with the electronic device 200. The audio data on electronic device 200 can be transmitted to the flash memory 23 for storage, or the audio data in flash memory 23 can be transmitted to the electronic device 200 for storage.

The aforementioned storage media interface 30 comprises a USB controller 31, a card reader controller 32, a memory connector 33 and a parallel/serial transmission interface 34. The USB controller 31 is connected to the downstream port 13 of the USB hub 10 to form a bi-directional USB-type data connection between the storage media interface 30 and the USB hub 10. The card reader controller 32 is to control data access, and the memory connector 33 is to provide external connection to at least a memory card 300. The memory card 300 can be any know flash memory, such as CF, SD, MMC, XD, SM, MS, MSPRO, and MS DUO. The memory connector 33 is connected to the card reader controller 32 so that the memory card 300 is controlled by the card reader controller 32. The parallel/serial transmission interface 34 is connected to the card reader controller 32 to provide bi-directional data transmission of audio data.

The aforementioned card reader controller 32 is connected to the USB controller 31 to form, through the USB hub 10, a bi-directional data transmission and storage connection with the electronic device 200. The audio data on electronic device 200 can be transmitted to the memory card 300 for storage, or audio data in the memory card 300 can be transmitted to the electronic device 200 for storage.

The aforementioned storage media interface 40 comprises a USB controller 41, an ATA/ATAPI interface controller 42, at least a interface connector 43, and a parallel/serial transmission interface 44. The USB controller 41 is connected to the downstream port 14 of USB hub 10 to form a bi-directional USB-type data connection between the storage media interface 40 and the USB hub 10. The ATA/ATAPI controller 42 is to control data access, and the interface connector 43 is to provide external connection to a CD-R/W 400, a hard disk drive 500, or a DVD-R/W 600, respectively. The CD-R/W 400, hard disk drive 500, and DVD-R/W 600 have an ATA/ATAPI type interface. The interface connector 43 is connected to the ATA/ATAPI controller 42 so that the CD-R/W 400, the hard disk drive 500, and the DVD-R/W 600 are controlled by the ATA/ATAPI controller 42. The parallel/serial transmission interface 44 is connected to the ATA/ATAPI interface controller 42 to provide bi-directional data transmission of audio data.

The aforementioned ATA/ATAPI controller 42 is connected to the USB controller 41 to form, through the USB hub 10, a bi-directional data transmission and storage connection with the electronic device 200. The audio data in the electronic device 200 can be transmitted to the CD-R/W 400, the hard disk drive 500, and the DVD-R/W 600 for storage, or the audio data in the CD-R/W 400, the hard disk drive 500, and the DVD-R/W 600 can be transmitted to the electronic device 200 for storage.

The aforementioned storage media interfaces 20, 30, 40 are not limited to the individual circuit elements shown in FIG. 1. The storage media interfaces 20, 30, 40 can be integrated into an IC or a circuit module.

An audio codec player 50 provides the functions of encoding/decoding and playback of various audio data formats, such as MP3, WMA, MIDI, WAV, and so on. The audio codec player 50 comprises a parallel/serial transmission interface 51. The parallel/serial transmission interface 51 is connected to the parallel/serial transmission interface 24 of the media storage interface 20, the parallel/serial transmission interface 34 of the media storage interface 30, the parallel/serial transmission interface 44 of the media storage interface 40, respectively to form bi-directional data transmission between the audio codec 50 and the storage media interfaces 20, 30, 40. The audio codec player 50 is externally connected to an audio player 700 and an audio input device 800. The audio player 700 is not limited to any specific type. The present invention uses a loudspeaker as an embodiment for description, but other equivalent audio players, such as earphones, are also within the scope of the present invention. The audio input device 800 is not limited to any specific type. The present invention uses a microphone as an embodiment for description, but other equivalent audio input devices, such as CD line-in or broadcast audio input device, are also within the scope of the present invention. The user's voice can be input from a microphone, sent to the audio codec player 50 for recording using ADPCM. The audio codec player 50 uses the audio player 700 and the audio input device 800 for audio data playback and input.

The aforementioned audio codec player 50 forms, through the parallel/serial transmission interface 51, bi-directional data transmission among the electronic device 200, the flash memory 23, the memory card 300, the CD-R/W 400, the hard dish drive 500, and the DVD-R/W 600 so that audio data can be encoded/decoded for storage or playback on the electronic device 200 or the audio player 700; alternatively, the audio input device 800 inputs audio signal for the audio codec player 50 to encode/decode and stored in the electronic device 200, the flash memory 23, the memory card 300, the CD-R/W 400, the hard dish drive 500, and the DVD-R/W 600, in a way similar to digital audio recording.

FIG. 2 shows an audio storage and playback apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, also designated with reference numeral 100 for simplicity. A downstream port 15 of a USB hub 10 is connected to a digital/analog interface converter 60. The digital/analog interface converter 60 comprises a USB controller 61, a digital/analog signal processor 62, and a digital/analog signal input interface 63. The USB controller 61 is connected to the downstream port 15 of the USB hub 10. The digital/analog signal processor 62 is connected to the USB controller 61. The digital/analog signal processor 62 provides the function of converting digital/analog video/audio signals into a format that is suitable for the electronic device 200. The digital/analog signal input device 63 provides the connection to at least a digital/analog signal source 64. The digital/analog signal source 64 can be a signal source device, such as DTV, ATV, DAB, AAB, and so on. The digital/analog signal input device 63 inputs the signal from the digital/analog signal source 64, and transmits the signals to the digital/analog signal processor 62 for processing, and then through the USB controller 61, the downstream port 15 of the USB hub 10, and the upstream port 11 of the USB hub 10 to the electronic device 200 for storage or playback.

FIG. 3 shows an audio data storage and playback apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, which is also designated with reference numeral 100 for simplicity. The audio data storage and playback apparatus 100 comprises a USB SIE 1010 with an upstream port 1011 and a plurality of endpoints 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016. The upstream port 1011 is connected to a USB interface 210 of an electronic device 200 for bi-directional data communication between the endpoints 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016 and the electronic device 200.

The aforementioned endpoints 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016 of the USB SIE 1010 provide connections to aforementioned storage media interface 20, 30, 40, digital/analog interface converter 60 to provide achieve the objects of bi-directional data transmission, storage, encoding/decoding and playback of audio data.

FIG. 4 shows an audio data storage and playback apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, also designated with reference numeral 100 for simplicity, comprising a storage media interface 70. The storage media interface 70 is a monolithic compound storage media interface integrating aforementioned storage media interfaces 20, 30, 40. The storage media interface 70 comprises a USB controller 71, a flash memory access controller 72, at least a flash memory 73, a card reader controller 74, a memory connector 75, an ATA/ATAPI controller 76, at least an interface connector 77, and a parallel/serial transmission interface 78. The USB controller 71 is connected to a downstream port 12 of the USB hub 10 to form a bi-directional USB-type data connection between the storage media interface 70 and the USB hub 10. The flash memory access controller 72 is connected to the USB controller 71 and is to control the data access. The flash memory 23 is connected to and controlled by the flash memory access controller 72. The audio data on electronic device 200 can be transmitted to the flash memory 73 for storage, or the audio data in flash memory 73 can be transmitted to the electronic device 200 for storage.

The card reader controller 74 is connected to the USB controller 74, and is to control data access. The memory connector 75 is to provide external connection to at least a memory card 300. The memory card 300 can be any known flash memory card, such as CF, SD, MMC, XD, SM, MS, MSPRO, MS DUO. The memory connector 75 is connected to the card reader controller 74 so that the memory card 300 is controlled by the card reader controller 74. The audio data on electronic device 200 can be transmitted to the memory card 300 for storage, or the audio data in the memory card 300 can be transmitted to the electronic device 200 for storage.

The ATA/ATAPI controller 76 is connected to the USB controller 71, and is to control data access. The interface connector 77 is to provide external connection to a CD-R/W 400, a hard disk drive 500, or a DVD-R/W 600, respectively. The CD-R/W 400, the hard disk drive 500, and the DVD-R/W 600 have an ATA/ATAPI type interface. The interface connector 77 is connected to the ATA/ATAPI controller 76 so that the CD-R/W 400, the hard disk drive 500, and the DVD-R/W 600 are controlled by the ATA/ATAPI controller 76. The audio data on the electronic device 200 can be transmitted to the CD-R/W 400, the hard disk drive 500, and the DVD-R/W 600 for storage, or the audio data in the CD-R/W 400, the hard disk drive 500, and the DVD-R/W 600 can be transmitted to the electronic device 200 for storage.

The parallel/serial transmission interface 78 is connected to the flash memory access controller 72, the card reader controller 74, the ATA/ATAPI interface controller 76 and the parallel/serial transmission interface 51 of the audio codec player 50, respectively, to provide bi-directional data transmission of audio data to achieve the object of storage, encoding/decoding, and playback of audio data as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the operation of audio data storage and playback apparatus 100 of the present invention. The flowchart shows the encoding/decoding, storage and playback of audio data. The method comprises the steps of:

(910) the user determining whether encoding/decoding is required; and if so, proceeding to step (920); and otherwise, proceeding to step (930);

(920) storing audio data through storage media interface of hub or SIE to portable storage media;

(921) portable storage media transmitting audio data, through the parallel/serial transmission interface, to audio codec player for encoding/decoding;

(922) determining whether the operation being for encoding and storage, or decoding and playback; and if encoding and storage, proceeding to step (922A); otherwise, proceeding to step (922B);

(922A) the audio codec player transmitting encoded audio data, through the parallel/serial transmission interface, to the portable storage media for storage or, through the hub or SIE, to the electronic device;

(922B) the audio player playing back the decoded audio data;

(930) determining whether the operation is for playback or recording; and if for playback, proceeding to step (940); otherwise, proceeding to step (950);

(940) the portable storage media transmitting audio data, through the storage media interface and the parallel/serial transmission interface, to audio codec player;

(941) the audio codec player decoding audio data and outputting audio data to audio player for playback;

(950) the audio signal being input from audio input device and transmitted to audio codec player for encoding;

(951) the audio codec player encoding audio signal and transmitting encoded audio data, through storage media interface and the parallel/serial transmission interface, to portable storage media for storage; and

(952) audio data being stored in portable storage media or electronic device through hub or SIE.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangement included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. An audio data storage and playback apparatus, comprising: a USB hub, having an upstream port and a plurality of downstream ports, the upstream port being adapted to connect to a USB interface port of an electronic device; at least a storage media interface, connected to the downstream ports of the USB hub, the storage media interface being portable media storage interface for connecting to at least a portable storage media, to form a bi-directional data transmission with said electronic device with a USB interface; and an audio codec, connected to the storage media interface and to at least an audio player and an audio input device for providing audio data encoding/decoding and playback functions for audio data transmitted between the electronic device connected to the USB hub and the portable storage media connected to the storage media interface in order to decode and play back audio data from the electronic device connected to the USB hub, the portable storage media connected to the storage media interface and the audio input device on the audio player, and encode and store audio data from the electronic device connected to the USB hub, the portable storage media connected to the storage media interface and the audio input device.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage media interface further comprises: a USB controller, connected to the downstream port of the USB hub; a flash memory access controller, connected to the USB controller for providing data access to portable flash memory storage media; a flash memory, connected to the controlled by the flash memory access controller; and a parallel/serial transmission interface, connected to the flash memory access controller for providing bi-directional data transmission of audio data.
 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage media interface is a portable card reader storage media interface.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage media interface further comprises: a USB controller, connected to the downstream port of the USB hub; a card reader access controller, connected to the USB controller for providing data access to portable card reader storage media; a memory connector, connected to a memory card and the card reader controller for enabling the memory card to be controlled by the card reader access controller; and a parallel/serial transmission interface, connected to the flash memory access controller for providing bi-directional data transmission of audio data.
 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage media interface is a portable ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media interface.
 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage media interface further comprises: a USB controller, connected to the downstream port of the USB hub; an ATA/ATAPI interface controller, connected to the USB controller for providing data access to portable ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media; a plurality of interface connectors, connected to the ATA/ATAPI interface controller and a plurality of ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media for enabling the ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media to be controlled by the ATA/ATAPI interface controller; and a parallel/serial transmission interface, connected to the flash memory access controller for providing bi-directional data transmission of audio data.
 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media is a CD-R/W, a DVD-R/W or a hard disk drive.
 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage media interface further comprises: a USB controller, connected to the downstream port of the USB hub; a flash memory access controller, connected to the USB controller for providing data access to portable flash memory storage media; a flash memory, connected to and controlled by the flash memory access controller; a card reader access controller, connected to the USB controller for providing data access to portable card reader storage media; a memory connector, connected to a memory card and the card reader controller for enabling the memory card to be controlled by the card reader access controller; an ATA/ATAPI interface controller, connected to the USB controller for providing data access to portable ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media; a plurality of interface connectors, connected to the ATA/ATAPI interface controller and a plurality of ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media for enabling the ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media to be controlled by the ATA/ATAPI interface controller; and a parallel/serial transmission interface, connected to the flash memory access controller, the card reader controller and the ATA/ATAPI controller for providing bi-directional data transmission of audio data.
 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the downstream port of the USB hub is connected to a digital/analog interface converter, and the digital/analog interface converter further comprises: a USB controller, connected to the downstream port of the USB hub; a digital/analog signal processor, connected to the USB controller for providing data conversion of digital TV/analog TV/digital audio broadcast/analog audio broadcast (DTV/ATV/DAB/AAB) signals; and a digital/analog signal input interface, connected to the digital/analog signal processor and a digital/analog signal source, the digital/analog signal source providing DTV/ATV/DAB/AAB signals transmitted to the digital/analog signal processor.
 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the digital/analog signal source is a DTV/ATV.
 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the digital/analog signal source is a DAB/AAB.
 12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio codec player further comprises a parallel/serial transmission interface.
 13. An audio data storage and playback apparatus, comprising: a USB serial interface engine (SIE), having an upstream port and a plurality of endpoints, the upstream port being connected to a USB interface port of an electronic device; at least a storage media interface, connected to the endpoint of the USB SIE, the storage media interface being portable media storage interface for connecting to at least a portable storage media, to form a bi-directional data transmission with the electronic device with a USB interface; and an audio codec, connected to the storage media interface and to at least an audio player and an audio input device for providing audio data encoding/decoding and playback functions for audio data transmitted between the electronic device connected to the USB SIE and the portable storage media connected to the storage media interface in order to decode and play back audio data from the electronic device connected to the USB SIE, the portable storage media connected to the storage media interface and the audio input device on the audio player, and encode and store audio data from the electronic device connected to the USB SIE, the portable storage media connected to the storage media interface and the audio input device.
 14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the storage media interface further comprises: a USB controller, connected to the endpoint of the USB SIE; a flash memory access controller, connected to the USB controller for providing data access to portable flash memory storage media; a flash memory, connected to and controlled by the flash memory access controller; and a parallel/serial transmission interface, connected to the flash memory access controller for providing bi-directional data transmission of audio data.
 15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the storage media interface is a portable card reader storage media interface.
 16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the storage media interface further comprises: a USB controller, connected to the endpoint of the USB SIE; a card reader access controller, connected to the USB controller for providing data access to portable card reader storage media; a memory connector, connected to a memory card and the card reader controller for enabling the memory card to be controlled by the card reader access controller; and a parallel/serial transmission interface, connected to the flash memory access controller for providing bi-directional data transmission of audio data.
 17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the storage media interface is a portable ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media interface.
 18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the storage media interface further comprises: a USB controller, connected to the endpoint of the USB SIE; an ATA/ATAPI interface controller, connected to the USB controller for providing data access to portable ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media; a plurality of interface connectors, connected to the ATA/ATAPI interface controller and a plurality of ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media for enabling the ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media to be controlled by the ATA/ATAPI interface controller; and a parallel/serial transmission interface, connected to the flash memory access controller for providing bi-directional data transmission of audio data.
 19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media is a CD-R/W, a DVD-R/W or a hard disk drive.
 20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the storage media interface further comprises: a USB controller, connected to the endpoint of the USB SIE; a flash memory access controller, connected to the USB controller for providing data access to portable flash memory storage media; a flash memory, connected to and controlled by the flash memory access controller; a card reader access controller, connected to the USB controller for providing data access to portable card reader storage media; a memory connector, connected to a memory card and the card reader controller for enabling the memory card to be controlled by the card reader access controller; an ATA/ATAPI interface controller, connected to the USB controller for providing data access to portable ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media; a plurality of interface connectors, connected to the ATA/ATAPI interface controller and a plurality of ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media for enabling the ATA/ATAPI-interfaced storage media to be controlled by the ATA/ATAPI interface controller; and a parallel/serial transmission interface, connected to the flash memory access controller, the card reader controller and the ATA/ATAPI controller for providing bi-directional data transmission of audio data.
 21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the endpoint of the USB SIE is connected to a digital/analog interface converter, and the digital/analog interface converter further comprises: a USB controller, connected to the endpoint of said USB SIE; a digital/analog signal processor, connected to the USB controller for providing data conversion of digital TV/analog TV/digital audio broadcast/analog audio broadcast (DTV/ATV/DAB/AAB) signals; and a digital/analog signal input interface, connected to the digital/analog signal processor and a digital/analog signal source, the digital/analog signal source providing DTV/ATV/DAB/AAB signals transmitted to the digital/analog signal processor.
 22. The apparatus claimed as in claim 21, wherein the digital/analog signal source is a DTV/ATV.
 23. The apparatus claimed as in claim 21, wherein the digital/analog signal source is a DAB/AAB.
 24. The apparatus claimed as in claim 13, wherein the audio codec player further comprises a parallel/serial transmission interface. 